During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The gifts of the Holy Spirit (7)/ Her main scriptures were taken from the Books 1 Corinthians 12:1-28; Luke 10:25-42

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – INTRODUCTION

These gifts are special supernatural abilities given by God, the Holy Spirit. They are royal family gifts. By using them we resemble Jesus and God, our Father. They are a witness that our salvation is supernatural. These abilities are not natural. The Christian is not born with them. They are not gained thru the study of the Bible or education in general. A pastor or an elder can pray and lay hands on a believer who desires gifts. But no man can give these gifts. They manifest the atmosphere of heaven on earth. These are Grace-Gifts. In Greek, the word ‘gifts’ is ‘charismata’. The word ‘charis’ means Grace. These gifts are not rewards for labor and are not merited. They are free gifts from King Grace! The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. He gives them according to His will and depending on the need in the local church. God can give them to baby Christians or to the mature ones! The gifts give glory to God! They increase the unity of the Body and the manifestation of miracles.

THE GIFT OF HELPS (HOSPITALITY, MINISTRY, SERVING, GIVING, OR SHOWING MERCY)

“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that, miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Cor 12:28)

The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing His gifts. ‘God has appointed’. In Greek it means to put in place, to establish, or to ordain.  

A HELPER is somebody who helps, gives support, serves, or assists another who is in need. A helper does not take over the life or the work of another. He comes along when the person is weak or in need and helps to support that one for that time. The helper brings encouragement, strength, labor, or money, to the needy one. For example, when a long train goes uphill, they add a second locomotive at the back to push the train. The second locomotive is called ‘a helper’. Other words for helper are servant, true friend, backup, helpmeet, right-hand man, aide, or assistant. A helper makes life easier for the needy one, so that he can make progress in life. The opposite of a helper is to be a competitor, a controller, an enemy, oppressor, or a bad person. In Greek, the word ‘Helps’ describes one who ministers, who aids, who brings relief to others who are needy. By their words and deeds, spiritually and physically, these brethren do two great ministries: They help the needy, and they assist their superior officers, making their work easier. Through their help, they encourage the faith of others, helping them to make progress in life. Most of their work is done in the background. These are humble and faithful people. They are very sensitive to observe when somebody needs help. They go the extra mile to help others.  By doing these works, they edify the Body of Christ. People describe them as having a servant’s heart. They give more than help. They are ambassadors of Christ because Jesus came as a Servant King. They help the weak, the elderly, sick, lonely, strangers, widows, orphans, and the needy. They pray, encourage, visit, give food or money to them. They belong to the ministry of welfare, hospitality, giving, or showing mercy. Some are called deacons in the church. They also help their pastors and leaders so that the worship continues!

MINISTRY, GIVING, AND SHOWING MERCY

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom 12:3-8)

The gift of ‘helps’ is one of the most important gifts given by the Holy Spirit. This is because the needs in the church are so many, both spiritual and physical. The people with this gift do not wait for others to tell them to do things. They see a need and they go to help. They do a beautiful quiet ministry in the church. For example, they pick empty bottles or trash from the church and take it to the dustbin. They clean the church, inside and outside. They do not do it for men to see. They do it for God. They do it with the strength God provides. That is why they do not get easily discouraged. They are happy doing work for God. And God, blesses them. Let me add this… There are so many opportunities for help in the lighthouses. That is where people can get to know each other. When one is sick, the others visit him in the hospital. When one needs to find accommodation, the brethren help him. The believer who has this gift, is genuinely happy to do something for God. Are you like that?    

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever!” (1 Pet 4:9-11).

Hospitality means to happily welcome strangers or needy people; to share with others, your home, food, time, and resources. Hospitality is expensive, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous. When you think of the cost you need to pay for hospitality, you are tempted to grumble.

Each born again Christian receives a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is your duty to discover the gift and to use it. The word ‘minister’ means to be a servant, a steward of the different manifestations of the grace of God who supplies the strength so that we minister to one another in His name. Using God’s strength removes the risk of getting tired, or complaining, and gives all the glory to God! We are to be ‘stewards of the manifold grace of God’. During Peter’s time, a steward was a slave. He has no property and no time of his own. He lives and works for his master who takes care of him. The steward has only one desire; he lives to please his master. This is the believer’s highest calling: to live for the glory of God; and by God’s grace and to dispense this Grace received, to others who need it. We are called to serve King Grace and His people. If we speak, let our words be like God’s words. If we serve in any capacity, let us use God’s strength supplied for that purpose. What is the purpose? God is glorified thru our ministry, and we are happy and fulfilled. Halleluiah!   

The enemy to hospitality is ‘grumbling’. To grumble means to complain about something in an angry way. Doing ministry and grumbling at the same time reveals an evil spirit of religion, legalism, greed, and selfishness. This is hypocrisy. It is a sad life. God does not bless this forced ministry. A true Christian loves God and people. He is patient in trials, continues to pray, and serve God. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Rom 12:9-13). Halleluiah!

ONE THING IS NEEDED (Lk 10:38-42)

Martha, Mary and their brother, Lazarus, were some of the few friends of Jesus. In their house, Jesus and His disciples could come anytime and rest. They did not ask Him to perform miracles. During this visit, we see that the sisters served Jesus in different ways. Mary decided to sit at His feet. That was the position of a student before his teacher. She sat there to listen to His Word. But Martha, was busy in the kitchen preparing the food for Jesus and His disciples. Clearly, she has the gift of help. Frustrated by all the work, she became angry that Mary did not come to help her. She complained to Jesus by telling Him to command Mary to help her in the kitchen. Jesus gently rebukes her saying that her work has made her ‘worried and troubled about many things’. These words mean that Martha became overanxious and distracted by her labor. This is a common temptation with them who help. Jesus said that Mary has chosen the ‘good part’. To listen to Jesus when He is in the house is the one thing needed and it will not be taken away from her.

Lesson: helpers can become lonely, discouraged, or bitter when they do not receive help or encouragement from others. Doing work for Jesus (like Martha) is good. But listening to His Word (like Mary) is better. In this life, we need to combine both ministries. The helpers may become jealous on them who have a more visible ministry, like preaching or teaching. This jealousy will end in bitterness. Reject that! Be grateful for the gift God gave to you. He never makes mistakes. Be faithful in your gift without comparing yourself with others.  A doctor (or a nurse) does not wait for others to help them when they are sick. They learn to treat themselves. In the same way, strengthen yourself in the Lord! Depend on the Holy Spirit for encouragement and strength. In their own quiet way, helpers mature in the faith with fruit proving their moral character.

In the early church, hospitality was a major ministry. Many were poor and few had houses. “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Ac 2:44-47).

The gift of hospitality, or helps, is one of the requirements of being a bishop, or a leader in the church. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach” (1 Tim 3:2).

Paul tells Timothy not to neglect his spiritual gifts. The study of God’s Word and diligently using God’s gifts contribute to your spiritual progress. Fear of men and fear of failure are serious hindrances to progress in life. “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Tim 4:14, 15). “Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:6, 7)

AARON AND HUR- HELPERS OF MOSES (Exodus 17:5-16)

The people complained again that they want water to drink. God tells Moses to go and strike the rock with his rod. The water came for the people. They tempted the Lord saying: “Is the Lord among us or not?” The battle with Amalek answered that question. God was with them!

The Amalekites attacked the people of God. Moses commanded Joshua to lead the men and fight the enemy in the valley. These are people who were slaves. They did not have military skills or weapons. But they had faith in God. Joshua obeyed Moses the way a steward obeys his master. Moses lifted his wonder working rod like a banner to God and prayed. After some time, his hands grew tired. Because of that, Moses could not pray. They observed that when Moses lifted the rod and prayed, God’s people were wining. When Moses’ hands grew weak and he could not pray, the enemy was winning. Aaron and Hur decided to help Moses lift the rod. Moses did not ask for help. They volunteered to help. It is possible that even his legs grew tired from standing. The two men brought a stone for Moses to sit. They helped him lift the rod to heaven. This is how the battle was won. God tells Moses in the hearing of Joshua that from now on, from generation to generation, God will fight the Amalekites. Moses built an altar there and called it Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my Banner. Lesson: the church is stronger when we help our leaders and one another. Do not be shy to ask or to give spiritual help. Joshua is a type of Christ. He is the Captain of our Salvation (Heb 2:10).

Moses is also a type of Christ who intercedes for us. Amalek’s destruction is a type of the destruction of the enemies of the church.

Moses may be a symbol of God the Father. Aaron, whose name means ‘mountain of strength’, may be a symbol of Christ. Hur, whose name means ‘freedom’, may be a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The three of them, together, in the unity of the Spirit, stayed until sunset, when Joshua defeated the Amalekites with the sword. This is a picture of persistence in prayer until the victory is won. The victory was won the first day of the battle. The rod of Moses was not a sign for the Israelites to see. The lifting of the rod was for God to see and answer prayer. That is why Moses did not stay close to the battle but went up a hill. Moses was praying that God will intervene and by His power, defeat the Amalekites. Moses used His rod as a point of contact for God’s miraculous power. God answered! The victory was decided up on that hill of prayer and worship and manifested in the valley!

When we think of Moses, we imagine him as a strong man, a leader of men, and a great commander. He was. But here, we see Moses as a man who needed help from others and who is not shy in accepting help ‘in public’. Lesson: Many Christian leaders pretend to be so strong saying that they do not need help from anybody. That is a mistake. Pray that God will help you to be humble, and vulnerable if need be. Pray that God will help you cultivate godly relationships with people who will not criticize you but help you in the hour of your need. Pray that God will surround you with godly, faithful, and humble people of prayer. Lifted hands to God is a posture of prayer and worship. When Pharoah asked Moses to stop the thunder and the hail, Moses said: “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s” (Ex 9:29). Moses lifted his hands to God, and he received the power to stop the storm. Raised hands in prayer bring miracles and win battles! Raised hands in prayer remind us that God is our defender.

Joshua fights the battle. Moses has to put some distance between himself and the battle. This is so that he can pray. Joshua fights the physical battle. Moses, the mentor, fights the spiritual, and intellectual battle, which is more difficult. Moses also needs to fight a physical battle, not with the sword, but with the word of God. The temptation of tiredness is great. It is on the hill of prayer that the victory is won. Even Aaron and Hur were involved in physical and spiritual battle. They did not take Moses to the rock. They brought the heavy rock to Moses. Often in life, men like Joshua who fought and won in the valley, receive the greater honor than Moses, Aaron, and Hur, three lonely old men on a hill.

Amalek is Esau’s grandson. These men are symbols of Satan. God cursed them. “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, 18 how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. 19 Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget” (Deut 26:17-19). God’s people attracted the attention of Amalek. Lesson: When you make progress, you attract enemies. It is dangerous to become a Christian. You become a targeted man. Amalek came and attacked them unexpectedly. The Israelites were weak from lack of water. Amalek attacked the people who were at the rear ranks. Lesson: The Christian who slacks is a target of Satan. Don’t forsake the assembly of the saints. There is safety in numbers. God is faithful to His promises. The tribe of Amalek has vanished from the earth.

This was the first time that Israelites needed to fight an enemy. God helps us to leave Egypt. But now, we need to participate in warfare. The battle was hard. It was hand to hand unto death. God’s work must be done in God’s way. Spiritual warfare is hard. You don’t appoint a baby Christian as the captain. The sword was not enough. Moses did not join the army. The spiritual battle determines the result of the physical. Maybe some soldiers complained that ‘Moses should be here with us to fight’. They did not know the value of spiritual covering. There are two parallel battles: physical (visible) (with the sword) and spiritual (invisible) (with the rod, prayer). Most Christian chose only one of the battles. The sword and the rod both are necessary. But the overall result depended on the prayers of Moses. No matter how much Joshua shouts at his soldiers, prayer is still the defining factor. It is always easier to fight in public than in the secret. It is easier to preach than to pray. The stress of prayer made Moses tired. Moses needed Aaron and Hur to help him pray.

Lesson: We all need helpers who pray for us and with us, who encourage us. If you can’t be Joshua or Moses, be an Aaron or a Hur. The battle is the Lord’s! Jesus ‘ever lives to intercede for us’ (Heb 7:25). Every Joshua needs a Moses. And every Moses needs an Aaron and Hur. If you fail to help Moses, it means that you are a traitor. You are on the side of Amalek, fighting the people of God. You see why the gift of ‘helps’ is so important? It helps win spiritual battles in the church.

HELPERS ARE REWARDED WITH THE MANTLE OF THEIR LEADER, FINANCIAL AND SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS

The gift of helps and hospitality connects with the supernatural. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels”(Heb 13:2). Abraham welcomed the three ‘strangers’. He did not know that one of them was Jesus and the other two were angels. He prepared a good meal for them. He received the word that next year the promised son will be born. His hospitality was rewarded with fulfillment of prophecy. Lot welcomed the angels into his house. Hospitality was rewarded with salvation for him and his family (Gen18 and 19). The two men walking on the road to Emmaus insisted to welcome the ‘stranger’ to their house. Then their eyes became open to see that He was Jesus. Hospitality was rewarded with a great revelation of the resurrected Christ (Luke 24).   

Joshua, Elisha, and Phoebe are examples of blessed helpers of God’s people. Paul said: “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Ac 20:35).

Joshua was Moses’ helper.  Clearly, Joshua had the gift of ‘helps’. “Joshua did as Moses said to him” (Ex 17:10). “Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth” (Nu 11:28). God appointed Moses’ assistant to become His successor (Josh 1:1, 2).

Elisha was Elijah’s helper and servant. He too became his successor (1 Kg 19:16-21; 2 Kings 3:11).

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Rom 16:1, 2).

Helpers are rewarded with fresh revelation of God, healing, breakthrough and answered prayers! “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am” (Is 58:6-9).

Those who help others are protected and divinely healed by God. “Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed” (Ps 41:1-3).

Those who serve God’s people in secret, will be rewarded by God openly! (Matt 6:1-4).

THE WIFE IS THE HUSBAND’S HELPMEET (Genesis 2:15-25)

The first time the word ‘helper’ is found in the Bible, it is in Genesis 2. God commanded Adam to obey His law and to work in the Garden. Then God said: “It is not good that man should be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him”. In Hebrew, the word ‘alone’ means to be like a branch separated from the tree. In Hebrew, the word ‘helper’ is ‘ezer’. It is the same word as the Holy Spirit, the Helper.  

In Hebrew, the word ‘comparable’ (chenegdo) is a great word. It means a mate, similar in size, shape, quality and disposition, somebody who is a capable counterpart, suitable, and worthy of comparison. It means someone who can stay in front of another. Eve must stand in front of Adam, like a mirror. Adam will see his face in his wife. The woman is not a twin for the man. Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27).  The wife is made to reflect her husband’s image. The man “is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man” (1 Cor 11:7-9). By looking at his wife, the man sees the truth about himself. He knows who he is and will make the necessary adjustments. This work of the wife, to reflect the truth to her husband, to advise and correct him in love, is a major work of help to him. Please note that God’s creation of the man and his wife, and the institution of marriage, happened before sin entered in this world. What we read here is about the ideal marriage. God made Eve for Adam to help him in fulfilling his destiny. The wife is a helpmeet, designed to help the husband in his spiritual walk, in his business, and in life in general. Just imagine that the husband is the foot, and the wife is his shoe. She must be the exact size and shape if not, he cannot walk well. You cannot put the left shoe on the man’s right foot. Of course, the choice of a wife is more important than buying shoes. The function of the wife is to help her husband in a particular way so that he can become the man God created him to be.

What is the reward for the wife? By helping her husband, she will find fulfilment herself. The wife is like the glue holding her husband, who is like a branch in the vine called Christ. The angels and the animals could not be a helpmeet to Adam. Eve was created for that purpose. God created Eve from a rib of Adam. She is a clone of her husband. God created and brought the wife to the man. God never makes mistakes. Adam and Eve did not need clothes for heat or for cold. Nothing could hurt them. They did not need clothes or jewelry to make them more attractive to one another. They were ‘wonderfully and fearfully’ created by God (Ps 139:14). They were free from fear or shame. God’s light and glory covered them. God said that it is not good for man to be alone. God made man to have fellowship, to talk not only to his superior (God) but to his equal (his wife). The wife was made to be sensitive to his needs and wants. She will be pregnant with his children and make him a happy father. She will be kind and intelligent to help him worship God and fulfill destiny. All that man needs on earth, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially, was to be found in his wife. This was God’s gift to man. “He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing And obtains favor and approval from the LORD” (PV 18:22; AMP). Successful godly marriage is a great achievement and ministry to the glory of God!

HOW CAN A WIFE BECOME A HELPER TO HER HUSBAND?

*Become a spiritual woman of God! The world has the wrong idea of marriage. God created the wife to help her husband. This is not an inferior role. A helper may have a servant heart, but she is not a slave. For most of the women, to find the right balance is hard. It is a labor of love that takes years to master and enjoy. Dear wife, you need to find your identity and calling in Christ. You cannot help your husband if you are confused about who you are, who God made you to be. Study the Bible, fast and pray that you may believe God’s plan and purpose for your life. The same word ‘helper’ given to the wife, is a word that applies to God. “But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless” (Ps 10:14). A godly wife is an ambassador of Christ to her husband. In her eyes, the husband sees Christ and who he needs to be. This function of a holy mirror to her husband is a major help. No other person can tell the truth to a man as his wife.  Selah!

*Submit to your husband as unto the Lord! (Eph 5:22). Submission is vital in ministering help to him. The people of the world oppress others. But the Christians, love to humble themselves and serve others. To be a godly wife, you must have a servant attitude towards your husband. Jesus said: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:25-28).

*Become a friend to your husband! You must become a companion, and a true friend to your husband. Pray that you understand your husband. Be interested in his life, business, and ministry. “the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Mal 2:14). Husband, God calls your wife ‘your companion’. A companion is a helpful faithful friend with whom you spend a lot of time, and you travel together. 

*Be a responsible homemaker. One of the complaints from husbands is that their wives neglect their homes. The house is not clean. The food is not well cooked. The children are not well trained. The wives always ask for money and spend it on things that do not benefit the family. The older women in the church can help to the younger wives. “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (Tit 2:3-5).

*Respect and honor your husband! Even if he is an unbeliever (1 Pet 3:1-6). Another complaint from husbands is that their wives don’t respect them. “Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Eph 5:33). By helping your husband, you see his weaknesses. It’s easy to disrespect him. Especially if you are a saved and your husband is not. The Holy Spirit helps you to serve and honor your husband at the same time.

*Be sexually active and available to your husband! The third complaint from husbands is that their wives are ignorant of their sexual needs. Both physically and emotionally, men and women are created different. The wife should study the sexual needs of her husband and meet them. This is a great help given to him. Sex is a peculiar means to manifest love in marriage. “Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor 7:3-5). The word of God is clear. The wife should not refuse the body of her husband. Not satisfying his sexual needs creates great conflict in the marriage that nothing else can satisfy. You both need love, wisdom, prayers, and desire to succeed in marriage, including the sexual side of it. A successful marriage is a work of art to the glory of God!

The wives complain that their husbands’ desires are too many. That is why you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (Jn 14:15-18). The Holy Spirit is called the believer’s Helper. The unbelievers do not have access to this wonderful Helper. Only a born-again wife can be filled with the Holy Spirit to truly help her husband fulfill his destiny. The Holy Spirit ‘abides forever’. The Spirit filled wife brings the forever help to her husband. A wonderful way to find the balance in giving and taking in marriage is to obey Christ’s word: “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matt 7:12). You desire something? Then give that ‘something’ to your husband. Plant it like a seed in his heart. When the harvest comes, you will share in it! Selah!

The wife must know her gift and must desire to be a helper to her husband. Many wives do not desire the gift of helps. They want the gift of leadership. A leader cannot be a helper. Do you want to have ‘the excellent spirit’ of Daniel who always made progress in all situations? Then pray about it and pay the price for it. It is a royal gift. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (PV 12:4).  In Hebrew, the word ‘excellent’ means someone strong like an army ready for battle, someone who is wealthy and of noble character. According to God’s word, there are only two types of wives: the excellent godly ones, who are true helpers to their husbands, and the ungodly ones, who cause him shame and weaken his bones. Choose now, what type of wife do you desire to be? The godly wife wins the admiration of her husband! “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So, he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (PV 31:10-12). Amen!

THE GOOD HELPFUL SAMARITAN (Lk 10:25-37)

A religious lawyer, trying to tempt Jesus, asked Him a question:” Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”. He was looking at the Son of God who came to die to give sinners eternal life. But the lawyer was proud and spiritually blind. He was thinking that he must work to gain eternal life. He did not know the principle of grace and faith. Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus told his to quote God’s law. He did. He said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus said: ‘Do this and live’. But the lawyer wanted to ‘justify himself’ and asked, ‘who is my neighbor?’ To answer his question, Jesus told him the parable of the good Samaritan. It is the story of a Jewish man who became a victim to robbery. He was wounded and left dying on the road. Two Jewish men, a priest, and a Levite, passed by, saw the man lying on the road, but they did not help him. The reason is that if they touch a dead man, they become defiled and cannot enter the temple to worship God until they cleanse themselves. Then a Samaritan man passed by. He felt compassion for the wounded man and helped him. He carried him to an inn and took care of him. When he had to leave, he paid the innkeeper ‘two denarii’ and promised to come back and pay the balance. Two denarii are not a small amount. It was the equivalent of two months’ accommodation and food in an inn. We are not told if the victim was rich or poor. It does not matter. It is good to remember that the Jews and the Samaritans discriminated one another. But this Samaritan was moved with compassion to help and save this man’s life. He did not allow religion, tribalism, or politics to stop him from being kind. He facilitated the help who saved the life of an unknown man. He gained nothing materially. He did it for God! The innkeeper was paid to show hospitality to a stranger. The question: ‘who my neighbor is? This is the answer: He who is kind and merciful is your neighbor.

Lessons: Empty religion is an enemy to kindness and to the ministry of help. Where there is real human need, generosity is the appropriate response.  We must love the invisible God and we must help the visible men. All the people are my neighbors. I need to be compassionate to all people and love them. This is God’s Law.  By helping men in need, you help Jesus. He will reward you! Helping the needy is a sign that you are saved and already have eternal life (Matt 25:40-46). Make up your mind that you help others for the sake of Christ and not for any reward on earth. No man can pay you for your sacrificial love to others. Leave the reward with Jesus! Do it as a sign that you love Jesus! Your reward is in heaven! That should be enough for you to go on!

IN CHRIST I DECLARE: THE LORD IS MY HELPER

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb 13:5,6).

The Lord is my Helper. I speak with confidence that the Lord Jesus is my Helper. When I am weak, He makes me strong. Worship the Lord!